Global temperatures interact with nearly all aspects of our climate, from the amount and timing of precipitation to storm and wind intensity. These effects — known as climate change impacts — are happening faster than in previous periods of climate change. These shifts can present management challenges to the conservation community.

Land trusts are already mitigating climate change through carbon sequestration, leading efficiency innovations by example as well as flexible easement language, and making socially responsible investments. By raising awareness and calling for individual and community climate action, land trusts can play a critical role in guiding future land use planning in their region.

Climate change is a natural process that has been sped up by human activities. Natural or geologic climate change should not be confused with modern climate change. Today, when most people talk about climate change, they are really talking about modern climate change, also known as anthropogenic — human-caused — climate change.